First Fruits

Our goal this year is 100% of our households participating in First Fruits.

100% participation is about a heart posture: gratitude that overflows into generosity, and surrender that turns “my part” into “our mission.” Whether it's $5 or $500,000. Whether it's Real Estate or Stocks. We are asking the Lord to speak to each one of us and that 100% of our people will engage in some way with a heart of unity and generosity.

Cash GiftNon-Cash Gift

What is "First fruits"?

Who

Every household who calls Real Life home — partners, regular attenders, and online viewers alike. This isn't reserved for people who've been here for years.

What

First Fruits is our once-a-year offering, given over and above the tithe. It comes from the Old Testament word Bikkurim — giving God the first and best of what we've been given, rather than what's left over.

When

Our First Fruits Offering Sunday is September 27, 2026, during our First Things First sermon series (Sept 6–27). You can give anytime before that date, and recurring giving remains open after.

Where

First Fruits Offering can be given online, in service, or by mail. First Fruits envelopes will be placed in the seat pockets on September 27th or use the options above to give online.

Want to give by mail? Send to:

1626 S. Cherry St. Tomball TX 77375

Why

Scripture calls us to give from the first and best of what God provides — not as a transaction, but as an act of trust. First Fruits exists so Real Life Texas can respond immediately when God opens a door to support community needs, equip new areas of ministry, and give to mission projects. As God opens doors, First Fruits allows us to walk through them.

Where "First Fruits" Gets Designated

We've supported church plants and mission partners here in the U.S. and abroad (including Real Life Ministries Waller, Vida Nueva and partners in Ethiopia and Italy), helped meet needs in our community, invested in new staff positions ahead of growth, and kept a portion in reserve so we can act quickly when God opens an unplanned opportunity for ministry.

We believe in following biblical principles, and Scripture calls us to give back to God from the first and best of what He provides. Each year, we take this offering so we're ready to respond when God opens a door to ministry we couldn't have planned for in our regular budget.

Video Testimonies

Eric Hays Testimony

James Andrew - Church Planter and Grit

FAQ

A: First Fruits comes from the Hebrew word Bikkurim — an offering to God from the first and best of the harvest, in the Old Testament. It honored God for His provision and helped set resources aside for needs that would arise later.

A: We believe in following biblical principles, and Scripture calls us to give back to God from the first and best of what He provides. Each year, we take this offering so we're ready to respond when God opens a door to ministry we couldn't have planned for in our regular budget.

A: No. Our goal this year is 100% of our households participating — whatever that looks like for your family. This isn't a competition or a quota; it's every household at Real Life saying yes to a life of first-fruits generosity, together.

A: No. A meaningful portion of what's given is kept in reserve — separate from our annual operating budget — specifically so we can respond quickly when God moves: supporting church plants and mission partners, meeting needs in our community, and stepping into opportunities we didn't see coming.

A: No. Your tithe is the regular weekly or monthly giving Scripture calls us to (10% of income). First Fruits is a separate, once-a-year offering, given over and above the tithe.

A: We've supported church plants and mission partners here in the U.S. and abroad (including Real Life Ministries Waller, Vida Nueva and partners in Ethiopia and Italy), helped meet needs in our community, invested in new staff positions ahead of growth, and kept a portion in reserve so we can act quickly when God opens an unplanned opportunity for ministry.

Here's a breakdown on ways First Fruits has been used in previous years:
  • Local compassion & care — meeting real needs right here in our community, including partners like the Tomball Pregnancy Center, Real Life Counseling and Care. 
  • Discipleship & church planting — supporting sister works and the wider network we're part of, including Real Life Waller, Vida Nueva, Real Life Residency, and the Relational Discipleship Network 
  • Global missions — coming alongside mission partners in Ethiopia, Italy, and organizations like One for Israel 
  • Targeted needs — helping cover targeted new ministry opportunities in the church. 
  • A reserve set aside — held apart from our regular operating budget specifically so we can respond quickly when God opens an unplanned door, rather than waiting for the next budget cycle. Our Elders prayerfully review and consider new ministry opportunities, and this reserve makes it possible to engage as God opens doors. 

A: Following the biblical pattern, we receive it at the end of September — this year, on Sunday, September 27th.

A: No. While many will give on September 27th as a celebration Sunday, you don't have to give a single lump sum. If it's easier for your situation, you can set up recurring giving to First Fruits throughout the year — the same way you would for your regular tithe. Just use the "First Fruits" Fund option on our online giving. 

A: You can give now or on September 27th. First Fruits envelopes are available in the seat pockets and lobby for cash or checks. You can also give online at RealLifeTexas.org/firstfruits.

A: The amount is between you and God. What matters most is that it's an honest expression of trust and gratitude — an act of worship, not a competition or a requirement.

Understanding the Biblical Principle

  • A gift of First Fruits to God says we trust that He will provide for the rest of the year, we believe that He is our provider his offering is separate from the tithe. There is no set amount, it is specific to our income and encompasses all of our resources. 
  • The purpose of the offering is to take care of the work of the Lord. The offering must be taken to God's house.
  • By giving our First Fruits, we trust that the rest of what we have is holy, or "set apart" by God under His blessing.

Praying Over Bringing Our Fruits

  • Ask the Lord how He wants you to give of your First Fruits. Ask Him what you can give that will honor Him and fulfill the First Fruits principles. Pray through and consider options such as: 
      • Selling something of value.
      • Going without something and giving the amount you would usually spend on that item.
      • Making a sacrificial change in your lifestyle to align your finances with God's priorities for your life.
  • Pray that the resources we bring in from this offering will impact our community for Jesus Christ.

Giving Opportunities

Cash GiftNon-Cash Gift